FOOTBALL

Chadwell named Big South Coach of the Year for third time in four seasons

Nov 22, 2016

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charleston Southern head coach Jamey Chadwell has been named Big South Conference Coach of the Year for the third time in four seasons, the league announced Tuesday. The honor ties Chadwell for the most Coach of the Year awards in conference history.

Chadwell earns the distinction after piloting CSU to its second consecutive Big South championship and FCS playoff berth. He also earned the honor in 2013 and 2015 for leading the Bucs to ten wins in each year – a program record.

Chadwell and the Bucs beat three ranked opponents en route to finishing atop the league. CSU defeated No. 14 Coastal Carolina, 59-58, in a wild double overtime affair in October, and added convincing wins over No. 24/25 Liberty and No. 22 Kennesaw State with its playoff fate hanging in the balance. Chadwell is now 35-13 at CSU, 29-7 against FCS competition and a remarkable 10-2 against rivals The Citadel, Coastal Carolina and Liberty. CSU had been 6-30 against those three programs prior to his arrival.

Chadwell received nine of 18 first-place votes and 23 total points in a vote by the league's head coaches and media, just ahead of Kennesaw State head coach Brian Bohannon (five first-place votes and 21 points).

CSU re-entered the top-ten of both major national polls this week, marking the ninth team this season the Bucs are present among the country's elite. Chadwell's program has been ranked in the top-25 for 21 consecutive weeks dating back to last season, and 32 times overall during his tenure.

Led by 12 All-Big South selections, CSU was first in the Big South total defense at 305.0 (9th nationally), as well as first in yards per rush (6.2), punt returns (15.2 – 10th) and kickoff returns (25.4 – 3rd). The Bucs also rank among the nation's best in rushing offense (273.7 – 6th), passing yards allowed (170.3 – 8th), sacks (2.9 – 12th) and scoring offense (34.9 – 16th).

In Big South games, CSU held three of its five opponents to less than 10 points and a stout 12.0 points per game – 11.2 less than the next competitor. CSU's defense also limited league members to a conference-best 278.6 yards of offense, 112.8 yards rushing and a 98.8 passing efficiency.